Youngkin joins veterans, families in commemorating Memorial Day at Virginia War Memorial

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Hundreds of Virginians joined veterans, their families and Gov. Glenn Youngkin at the Virginia War Memorial on Monday for the Commonwealth’s 68th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony .

“On Memorial Day, it is not the death of our service members, but it is how they lived their lives, that we must celebrate,” Youngkin said.

Youngkin was joined by Major General James Wing, who served as the Adjutant General of Virginia.

“It is appropriate that it is raining throughout today and this memorial day is a symbol of the tears that we shed in remembrance of those who passed before us,” Wing said.

At the ceremony, Youngkin paid tribute to the nearly 12,000 Virginians who were killed while serving our country.

“Their legacies are scattered across history — 18, 19, 20, 21-year olds with their who lives ahead of them,” Youngkin said. “They stepped into a conflict, they stepped in with courage, they stepped in with honor.”

Marine veteran Regina Lawrence, who serves as commander of the Chesterfield County Chapter of the Disabled American Veteran, said she served with some who paid the ultimate sacrifice. She said they should be remembered not just on Memorial Day, but every day.

“Beautiful people — people that laughed, smiled, did anything to protect,” Lawrence said. “Like, ‘When you are in the fighting hold, I got your back.’ The friendship that you developed is just awesome.”

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